Loughran stepping down after hugely successful 20-year run as Crumlin manager
By Stephen Leonard
MARTIN Loughran is stepping down as manager of Crumlin United's Intermediate team after 20 years in charge.
Having played with the team for just as long prior to taking over as manager in 1999/2000, Loughran has seen the club grow to become one of the most dominant forces in the Leinster Senior League under his tenure.
Martin Loughran is stepping down as manager of Crumlin United after a massively successful 20 years in charge
While it was some five years into his reign before they landed their first pieces of silverware with the Charlie Cahill and Metropolitan Cups, the titles came thick and fast thereafter.
Indeed he led Crumlin to no less than six LSL titles, four FAI Intermediate Cups and a host of Cahill and Metro honours.
They made a clean sweep of all four of those very titles in 2010 and went very close to repeating that same feat nine years later- just missing out in the Intermediate and Cahill Cup deciders after having landed the Metro and become the first team to win the Senior Division crown unbeaten.
Overseeing the entire senior setup in Crumlin, he saw the seconds top the LSL Major Saturday Division 11 times in a period that included a run of seven straight titles together with no shortage of Lanigan and Noel Ryan Cups.
Former Crumlin United player and captain James Lee is now poised to step into the managerial role, and it was his availability to take charge that prompted Loughran to step down.
“I’ve been there for the past 40 years non-stop as a player and then as manager, but the right man James Lee became available to take over” Loughran told The Echo.
“He’s the right man at the right time and I’ve no doubt he’ll keep us on the path that we’re on.
“He knows the club well and the coach there Graham Cassin and we’ve got some great young players coming through so it’s the right call at the right time and hopefully it shouldn’t be too much of a transition.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time as manager, but I won’t be stepping away from the club. I’ll still be there.
“I’m still secretary and I’ll still be right there cheering them on, just from the other side of the fence, not as manager.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time with the team. I’ve worked with some amazing coaches down through the years and so many amazing players.
“I’ve been lucky enough to work with great guys like Noel Cleary, Noel McQuaid, Jem’ Loughran, Paul Martin, Jimmy Fagan, Gerry Davis, Mark Kenny, Paul Kenny, Niall Donnelly, Danny Loughran, Sean O’Connor, Graham Cassin and of course my brother Liam who has been there all the way.
“It was a very big call for me to step down, but I feel it’s the right one” he said.
